We are not here to pander to the snowflakes Up for auction are motivational posters dating back to the 1920s, which encouraged workers to work hard and included advice such as “quitters never lose”

  • The 22 posters were produced by the Parker-Holladay company to encourage good behaviour at work
  • In Britain, the colourful posters promoting productivity at work were displayed in offices and factories throughout the country in 1920.
  • They were so successful that they were used in America and Canada and are now on sale for £3,000

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This fascinating assortment of 1920s “life-coaching” posters, which was designed to promote good workplace behavior, has been discovered.

They were produced by the now-defunct print company Parker-Holladay who created the well-dressed character Bill Jones to dispense pearls of wisdom and have emerged for sale for £3,000 with Ewbank’s Auctions, of Woking, Surrey. 

Posters advertising productivity at work appeared in British factories and offices. The posters contained messages about control and how to avoid confrontation. They were so successful that they were used in America and Canada. 

A fascinating collection of 1920s 'life-coaching' posters (pictured) which were designed to encourage good behaviour in the workplace have come to light

One of the 22 posters, pictured above

This fascinating set of 20s life-coaching posters was created to incite good workplace behaviour.

The posters (pictured above, is one from the collection) were produced by the Parker-Holladay company who created the well-dressed character Bill Jones to dispense pearls of wisdom

Above, one of the posters was produced by Parker-Holladay. Bill Jones is a well-dressed figure who gives out pearls and wisdom.

They were still very popular at the time, but they fell out of favor after the 1929 Wall Street Crash. 

The poster depicts a fight in boxing with the caption “A winner never gives up, but a loser never wins”. Another shows a woman playing tennis. It explains how important it is to stay fit and states that health is “priceless” so it’s worth it.

A racist poster depicting an aboriginal man getting hit by his boomerang shows the message: “Mistakes cost money, covering them up costs more.”

You can see Mr Jones dressed up as a conductor, helping an older man to climb some stairs.

One of the posters shows a boxing match with the caption 'a winner never quits, a quitter never wins', while another depicts a young lady playing tennis and explains the benefits of keeping fit, stating that 'health is priceless, it pays to keep it' (pictured)

One of the posters in the fascinating collection, now on sale for an estimated £3,000

A poster shows a match in boxing and the caption: “A winner never quits. A quitter never wins.” Another depicts a woman who plays tennis. The posters explain the importance of staying fit by stating, “Health is precious, so it pays to maintain it” (pictured left).

'Encourage your mates to shoulder their bit' urges one poster, pictured

Another, pictured, warns staff to discourage waste

Staff are warned to encourage their mates to do their part by posting ‘Encourage Your Friend to Do Their Bit’ (pictured left and right).

Greyhound racing with two greyhounds fighting one another while the other dogs race in front demonstrates how ‘disputes don’t get you anywhere’.

The collection also contains posters that promote harmony, punctuality and peace while railing against wastefulness and excuse culture. 

Alastair McCrea, Ewbank partner, is a specialist in the subject. He said that colour, action and strong graphics combine to make large posters extremely popular.

This set of 22 posters belongs to a collector and is available for sale starting January 21st.

One of the posters encourage workers to switch off lights before leaving, pictured

A second, pictured, suggests 'added responsibility means great opportunity'

The posters, which are pictured to the left and right respectively, encourage workers not to turn off their lights before they leave. A second poster, pictured right suggests that ‘added responsibility is great opportunity’.

'When it's risky find another way', insists one poster (pictured)

Another (pictured) says: 'False rumours, like snowballs, gather force as they go, don't believe all you hear'

A poster states that “When you feel it is risky, there are other ways.” While another poster, shown right, says: “False rumours like snowballs grow force as they move, so don’t be fooled by everything you hear.”

Ewbank's partner and specialist Alastair McCrea said: 'Colour, action, strong graphic quality and fabulous retro appeal from the clothing and haircuts of those depicted come together to make these sizeable posters (pictured) very popular.'

 Ewbank’s partner and specialist Alastair McCrea said: ‘Colour, action, strong graphic quality and fabulous retro appeal from the clothing and haircuts of those depicted come together to make these sizeable posters (pictured) very popular.’

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